2004 BMW X3 - $67,900EGC

Given the runaway success of its full-size X5 soft-roader, it was no surprise BMW followed up with a one-size-smaller SUV a handful of years later.

These days BMW offers the even-smaller X1 but in 2004, the X3 was the compact soft-roader BMW hoped would follow in the X5's successful wheel tracks.

It didn't quite work out that way. While the X3 had its good points, it was also let down in a couple of dynamic areas and just didn't seem like good value for money, whichever way you looked at it.

2006 BMW X3 2.5i.

In fact, it was entirely possible to tick enough option boxes to push the $68,000-odd on-road price beyond the $100,000barrier.

When you consider the bigger X5 of the same time-frame ? which already had a great reputation ? had a starting price in the $80,000s, the X3 had a big problem it never shook off.

Based on a modified 3-Series sedan platform, the X3 was styled to look similar to the X5 in a scaled-down way.

It was vaguely handsome, then, and most obviously smaller than an X5 in terms of its width. It was also a fair bit lighter but still tipped the scales at between 1700 to 1800 kilograms, which hardly made it a lightweight.

In its original form the X3 was available with a choice of two in-line six-cylinder engines. BMW in-line sixes are famous for their refinement and entertainment value and the one fitted to the X3 was no exception.

The entry-level version (2.5i) got a 2.5-litre, 141kW unit, while the next model up (3.0i) got a 3.0-litre unit with 170kW.

While the latter is preferable for its greater torque, not as much is between them as you would think. That said, the smaller engine needs to be worked harder to deliver the same performance, so there's not much difference in fuel economy when the sums are added up.

BMW didn't offer a diesel version until the end of the following year, when the 3.0d model with 160kW made it to showrooms.

As with the X5, all X3s got BMW's excellent xDrive system, which used an electronic clutch to split the drive between the front and rear axles. It makes the vehicle quite handy on loose surfaces, although, as with any soft-roader lacking low-range gears or extra ride height (and using road-oriented tyres), the X3 was never a proper off-roader.

A space-saver spare was the other factor restricting the X3 to the bitumen.

Safety was good, with no crash rating for this model, but it did have all the electronic driver aids, as well as a full suite of airbags.

The only real safety glitch ? and it's more to do with convenience ? comes with the child-restraint anchor points. In the X3, these are on the floor of the luggage compartment, which means any luggage has to fit around the straps.

The tailgate was a single-piece unit and needed a bit of space behind the car to open, while the rear window was sharply angled, reducing rear vision. In vehicles like these, that is another potential safety negative.

The interior was a bit of a let-down, too. If you couldn't afford the sat-nav/TV unit, you got a cheap-looking void on the dash-top where it should have gone, while the rest of the interior was made from various shades of grey plastic.

The rear seat was pretty woeful, too, and even smaller children are likely to complain.

Finally, those road-oriented tyres made for a harsh ride around town and a strange steering feel at lower speeds. That improved as the pace lifted but the ride didn't.

When shopping, make sure you know what you are looking at.

Back in the day, the X3 accessories catalogue ran to 40 pages and, typically for BMW, the price of some options was pretty high. That meant that while many buyers spent up big, many didn't and plenty of X3s left showrooms without some of the luxury gear you would usually associate with the brand.

So be positive you know what is fitted to a particular car and how those additions or omissions affect residual value and, therefore, the price you should pay.

BMW offered factory accessories such as roof racks and floor mats but they were expensive. Some owners decided to fit aftermarket stuff instead and the quality can range from great to gruesome.

Have a close look at any non-factory add-ons to see if they fit properly and work as expected.

As with any soft-roader, the X3 may have been owned by someone who thought it was a proper off-roader.

Check underneath for damage that suggests it has been used in the bush. If the damage is present, look elsewhere.

Make sure any X3 riding on non-original tyres is fitted with something with the appropriate speed rating for the vehicle. Many owners may replace tyres with a set that doesn't give the same performance parameters and the X3's otherwise good handling could suffer for it.

On any car you're looking at, make sure all the electrical gear works. We have heard of X3s with faulty power windows and mirrors, although sometimes resetting the body computer by holding the remote-control locking button down for about 30 seconds can do the trick and restore full functionality.

Even if you find a fault-free X3, experience suggests second-hand X5s of about the same age aren't significantly more expensive than an X3 with the 3.0-litre engine.

Which begs the question: why buy the second-best BMW soft-roader when the best is available for almost the same money?

What to pay

Model

Year

New

Now

2.5i

2004

$67,900

$22,900

2.5i

2005

$67,500

$27,100

2.5i

2006

$67,500

$31,800

3.0i

2004

$74,600

$25,600

3.0i

2005

$72,400

$29,400

3.0i

2006

$72,400

$34,600

Source: Glass's Guide

Vital statistics

Engines 2.5-litre; 3.0-litre 6-cyl

Transmissions 6-sp man; 5-sp auto

Fuel use 11.9L/100km (2.5i, combined); 12.1L/100km (3.0i)

Safety rating Not crash tested (howsafeisyourcar.com.au)

Likes

Good safety, with plenty of airbags and all electronic aids.

All-wheel-drive improves safetyfurther.

Good handling and grip.

Smooth, refined six-cylinder engines are a treat.

Roomy boot.

Dislikes

Interior doesn't feel or look as expensive as it should.

Rear seat will elicit complaints on longer trips.

Poorly designed child-restraint anchor points affect boot space.

Bigger brother X5 is a better car and better value.

Polarising styling.

Need to know

Do all the electrics work? Exactly how is a particular car specified?

The options list was long and expensive; some X3s were bought minus popular add-ons.

Don't buy it if it's been off-road.

Check the edge of the wheel arches for damage from snow-chains. The X3 was a bit of a hit with the snow-bunny set.

The competitors

BMW X5

Bigger and better than its little brother. Much better value, too. Classy to drive with a tactility that is missing from most SUVs. 3.5/5

Lexus RX330

Quality is a given with the Lexus brand and the RX330 impresses with its smooth refinement. V6 engine can struggle with mass and it can feel tall. 3/5

Honda MDX

It's a bit hard to know why the MDX didn't sell better than it did. It drove well and fuel economy was one of its highlights. Looks good, too. 3/5